FERGIE NEARLY MISSES GREECE TRIP

The United boss was stuck in traffic near Manchester airport and arrived just minutes before take off, but one person who did miss the flight was record signing Juan Sebastian Veron.

The Argentinian ace will meet up with his team mates in Athens after getting a direct flight to Greece from South America, where he has been on international duty against Paraguay.

Nicky Butt also misses the trip to have more treatment on the rib injury that kept him out of England's game with Greece on Saturday, but his international team-mate, Wes Brown, has recovered from his hamstring injury and declared himself fit to play.

Ryan Giggs and Dwight Yorke did travel despite suffering from back and thigh injuries respectively, while David Beckham was mobbed by photographers on his arrival  at Manchester airport. He also had three policemen to protect him when they touched down in Athens.